News

The Dept. of Transportation (DOT) has issued a notice of content to consider an increase in the minimum insurance requirement for motor carriers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) also is considering extending financial responsibility requirements to private motor carriers. In an April 2014 report to Congress, FMCSA said it would develop a rule […]

A $22 million trucking project begins with a $1.2 million grant for the city of Hope, one of seven cities to receive grants from the Economic Development Administration. The development was planned by executives of Fikes Truck Line. The $1.2 million will fund the construction of an access road to property recently purchased by the

Katie Thomason has been named the corporate services coordinator of the Arkansas Trucking Association. Thomason has worked with the association since May 2013 as the Executive Assistant. As corporate services coordinator, Thomason will be assisting with the management of the ATA’s Self Insurers’ Fund and providing on-going administrative support to the management of the ATA.

American Trucking Associations President Bill Graves took part in the “Ice Bucket Challenge,” a campaign to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for the nerve disease ALS. Graves was challenged by Derek Leathers, CEO of Werner Enterprises Inc. ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” after the Hall of Fame

Arkansas sent nine drivers representing five different carriers to compete at the 2014 National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC) in Pittsburgh, Aug. 12-16. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) sponsors the annual championships, known as the “Super Bowl of Safety,” to recognize industry leadership in safety and to promote professionalism among truck drivers. This year, 426 drivers

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), the trucking industry’s not-for-profit research organization, launched the 2014 Top Industry Issues Survey. The annual survey, commissioned by the American Trucking Associations (ATA), asks trucking industry stakeholders to rank the top issues of concern for the industry along with appropriate strategies for addressing each issue. The survey is in its

Results of a study ordered by the Arkansas Highway Commission show tolls could pay for extra lanes on Interstate 40 between North Little Rock and West Memphis. Currently, the 110-mile section has just two lanes in both directions. Despite the study’s findings, federal law bans charging tolls on interstates, except under limited circumstances. However, the federal transportation

Navistar is launching “Diamond Renewed,” a new used truck refurbishment program, for International units equipped with the company’s MaxxForce exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) engines that are 2010 model or newer. David Gerrard, Navistar’s senior VP of distribution, explained “Our customers are operating on very tight lines.” An older Class 8 truck model used to cost under $40,000, Gerrard explained.

Top trucking safety administrator Anne Ferro stepped down Aug. 25 from her post as chief of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) after five years in the position. U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx commented on Ferro’s departure: “Under Anne’s leadership, FMCSA has ushered in a new culture of safety into the commercial bus and